Need a budget-friendly DAC/AMP

[Phreaqinn]

Just ordered a pair of M50Xs but wanna grab a DAC because my on board one is average. I'm not very knowledgeable on DACs/AMPs but from what I've gathered, if you use a DAC, you need an AMP too? Either way, I'm looking for a budget-friendly ($100 or so) great sounding DAC (AMP COMBO?) USB to 3.5mm or 1.4. 

[SSL]

Your motherboard probably sounds pretty great. What model is it?

[Phreaqinn]

On a notebook; Lenovo y410p. Probably not the best, or is it?

[FloRolf]

1. Try the headphones with the laptop

2. Any Sound distortions? -> dac

3. Not loud enough? -> amp

[Phreaqinn]

16 hours ago, FloRolf said:

1. Try the headphones with the laptop

2. Any Sound distortions? -> dac

3. Not loud enough? -> amp

But do you have any recommendations on what is good and worth the money?

[Dackzy]

3 minutes ago, Phreaqinn said:

But do you have any recommendations on what is good and worth the money?

Will you use it at home or on the go?

[Phreaqinn]

Just now, Dackzy said:

Will you use it at home or on the go?

At home, just on my desk. 

[Dackzy]

Just now, Phreaqinn said:

At home, just on my desk. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KVVX2QW/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00KVVX2QW&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwpuresimula-20&linkId=YN6MZEGD6PGGHANB

I think that is the best combo you can get for around the 100$ mark

[Godin_Intaki]

Question: What made you get a M50x?

[SSL]

1 hour ago, Dackzy said:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KVVX2QW/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00KVVX2QW&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwpuresimula-20&linkId=YN6MZEGD6PGGHANB

I think that is the best combo you can get for around the 100$ mark

 

Micca Origen or SMSL SD793-II as well.

[Godin_Intaki]

18 minutes ago, SSL said:

 

Micca Origen or SMSL SD793-II as well.

The Micca especially.

[Dackzy]

7 hours ago, SSL said:

 

Micca Origen or SMSL SD793-II as well.

I forgot that the micca had a amp in it